Yasko's phone number was recently distributed for listeners to call
and complain about his harassment of Democracy Now! Yasko
threatened several people with reporting them to the police for
calling him at home. He called me twice, threatening to place a call
to my home every time a listener called his. He complained about
what he considered a violation of his privacy.

Yet, this is a guy with a webcam in his home connected to his
website. He turned off the camera over the weekend after the URL
of this page was posted on a WBAI-related message board.

But what is really interesting to me are the "e-pinion" reviews he
has written of his various travel experience that give insight into the
thought processes and fiscal actvities of Pacifica management.

"'m in radio and the biggest feature for me is the ability to record off
the built in FM tuner and then turn it into an mp3 file on my
computer. If you're in radio, I strongly urge you to expense this
little baby. Your job will be so much easier. In radio, we often have
to air check our talent or shows. With just a click of a button, I can
record what I need and play it back.

Given the FM tuner/record feature and the ability to record personal
notes through its built in microphone, this is really a
businessman's tool, not just a high priced replacement for gym
music. I routinely record thoughts I have in the car on the way to
work and then attach them to email messages. My staff, well, they
don't think it's so great, but I do.

I went with the Pocket PC over Palm here since I have a lot of web
sites that I need to check for work. I'm not sure if the Palm M505
will come a full browser once a modem for it is released and I kept
getting the "in a couple of weeks" answer from the geeks at the
stores. Speed goes to the Palm for sure, and so does simplicity of
use. But all in all, I need more than just contacts, calander and to-
do list. After all, if that is all you're going to use a PDA for, than
stay low on the food chain. My boss has a M505 but she's really a
M100 user with fetish for spending more than she as needs for.
Pocket PC comes with Media players already included too. "

Looks: You know how some cars are "girls" cars? This looks like a
"girls" printer. In a departure from the square design of other
models, the 777 looks like the new Volkswagen Beatle (that's a
girls car by sales figures by the way). There is the 777i, as in iMac
with a translucent colored cover. I keep mine in cabinet, away from
friend's judgmental eyes. I show them the output.

<snip>

Output: This is my third Epson color inject printer and every
generation has been better and better. First thing I did was print a
mixed document that included a photo, clip art, text, headlines,
shading and other complex elements. WOW. Just perfect
saturation and matching to monitor colors. Now of course I used a
dirty picture.it just wouldn't be me if I didn't and frankly, the dude
printed better than in a copy of Honcho!

Well, my mother in law gave me a Calphalon pizza pan for
Christmas last year and it has sat in the basement ever since. **I
am a traditionalist** after all. But my job has gotten so stressful,
that cooking has become a chore, not an avocation. The job is so
stressful, I had to promise to make pizza for my partner or risk
divorce on the grounds I couldn't get my professional life in
perspective.

---------------------------------------------

Those are only a few of the 38 posted e-pinion reviews by Mike Bilt
aka Yasko

This is the sort fool that they expect to tell Amy Goodman what
ought to be on her program? Who would listen to opinions about
news coverage from a person like this? Amy Goodman is a model
of self-restraint. Can you imagine having a bozo like this
"supervising" your program content? Futhermore, he seems to take
the destruction of Pacifica he is causing, as a joke, all in a days
work. It's all about status and social climbing.

Here's another review of his "work-related" expenditures at a
conference paid for by listener-sponsors. No wonder they want big
donors, this is how they waste the money of the hard-working and
often poor people who give

The Cuban influence from its cigar factory days is evident in the
thick green and brown tile work throughout the long, high ceilinged
lobby. There is a long porch out front on the circular drive that
serves as the perfect post-business meeting wind down and drink
location. I was there for a 5 day meeting and it was a welcome
space. There are also intimate nooks in the lobby to sit as well and
of course there is a full bar area. The bar is located with the
restaurants, which is nice so you if you want quiet space, you can
have it, if you want more aggressive partying, you can have that
too.

But the rooms, well one type of room, is why I will always
remember and recommend this hotel. The hotel is composed of
two towers and all the rooms are large and decorated tastefully.
Tasteful everything is a starting point here, there is nothing you
won't love. The ground floor of the south tower is comprised of what
they call "garden rooms." But there are no gardens! There is,
however, your own personal four person hot tub on the patio of
each room! Wow! What a great thing, make some coffee, open the
door, take a soak. Get back after a day of meeting, raid the wine in
the mini bar, open the door, take a soak. Naked, swimsuit, alone,
a party, whatever.

I will never forget conducting a presentation for some folks who
missed my session in the hot tub. We suited up (it was a business
meeting after all) and took a soak while sat on the edge flipping
through paper copies of my Powerpoint presentation. We all had a
great time.

The service here is nothing short of perfect. First class hotels of
this nature have service down to an art and the Vinoy is prime
example of how to keep things perfect and never let you down
when you need special help. They helped me order gifts for our
VIPs staying at both the Vinoy and other hotels in the area. I
bought 20 gift baskets of various trinkets in 20 minutes. I just told
him who drank beer, who drank wine, who didn't eat cheese, etc.,
and they took care of the rest.
The food in this place is nothing short of perfection, no matter if
you're having lunch or dinner in one of the three restaurants or
setting up a lunch for 500. I bought a lot of catering for this meeting
and they took such good care of us. I like to go off menu and
impress our folks at this meeting. I work in public radio, full of
vegetarians, vegans, and other assorted needs. They did a
steamed salmon entrée that just aced the crowd. Not only that, but
the black bean soup that preceded it won raves from my folks. And
I like folks to rave about what I buy them.

The catering staff was perfection as well. They were sincerely
interested in doing their best. At one party, we wanted frozen
drinks for 500, not an easy task really, the bartender was such a
pal, making everyone something special just to their taste. The
room captains ran my events with skill and comfort.

Now, here is the clincher for you sports fans. The Marlin's stadium
is within walking distance and the visiting baseball teams stay at
the Vinoy. While I was there the New York Yankees were there
(that Jose Conseco, what a macho cliché!) as well as the
Cleveland Indians. My hometown Baltimore Orioles had just left. It
added a special excitement to our meeting.

The facilities are just perfection. Tennis, pools, an large (but off
site, served by limo transportation) first class golf course are just
the start of this hotel. The weight room is better than any gym I've
been in and the locker rooms are truly places to relax with steam
rooms, saunas, whirlpools, televisions, and other items to pamper
yourself when you can find the time. Massages, facials, and other
pampering treatments are available on short notice, but require an
appointment. I got a massage within two hours of thinking about it.

Oh, price. Sure it's not cheap, but it is worth it especially if work is
paying. I would even try to wrangle a low rate for a personal stay
too. Expect to pay $200 a night for regular room. The garden rooms
are about 20% higher depending on season.

Don't grimace when the boss says the convention is in St. Pete,
just stay at the Vinoy!